Ideas, Ideas, Ideas

They can come from any source or direction.  We just have to keep our ears and right side of our brain open to them.

One night my husband (aka Jon) and I were fixing crab legs and I asked him to remind me to fix the drawn butter.  He immediately replied,  Are you going to get your pencils out and draw the butter?  (He was trying to get a smile out of me).

I was in the process of trying to decide what to work on next in my art.  My enjoyment of working with charcoal had been renewed from doing "Beaver Pond", but I wanted something easy and quicker to do than my regular painting.  I had one of those "aha" moments.  Thus, the idea of "Drawn Butter :)" was born.  I have since come up with a few more.  Any ideas from my readers are welcome.  Let's see how much fun we can make of this venture.  Jon has also named this series my "Runaway Art".

"Drawn Butter :)"

Charcoal, 6" x 6" 

Accolades

The Canyon Lake Art Guild is currently having their annual "Lasting Impressions" show at the New Braunfels Art League Gallery, in downtown New Braunfels, Texas.  The show is running from April 5th. to April 30th., 2014.  We had our reception on April 6th. with a beautiful turnout, good food, and a fun time!

I would also like to mention that while I was chairperson for the show this year, it all came together because of all the hard work of the members who volunteered to help and coordinate what had to be done to make it a success.  You have my utmost appreciation and gratefulness for making it happen!  THANKS A BUNCH!!

I am happy to report that both of my paintings, won ribbons.  "Beaver Pond" received 1st. Place in the Pastel/Drawing category, and "Ready to Work" won Honorable Mention in the same category.

"Beaver Pond"

"Beaver Pond", Charcoal, 8" x 10"

 Many artists I have read about and talked to, say "keep your old or never finished artwork.  Not only is it good to go back and see how you have improved, but you can redo them and improve them.  Such is the case with "Beaver Pond".  When I came upon it in my stack of "unwanteds" I saw why I wasn't pleased with it at the time.  So many of my values were wrong, and I needed to recrop for a better composition.  Now I know I still need improvement, especially since I am not a "landscape" artist (at least now right now), but I like it a lot better.  The referance photo is courtesy of James R. Rodgers, my brother, who took it while on a trip to Colorado.  Thanks, Jim!! 

"Ready to Work"

"Ready to Work", Pastel (on pastel mat), 12" x 16"

This is another painting I've been wanting to do, every time I came across it.  It is a typical stance of a border collie, and shows what concentration they can have when they are getting ready to work.  They can keep that position for a looong time!!  However, I have to tell you--Fancy is not ready to work.  She is waiting to catch her frisbee.  Having two senior citizens for masters and no goats, her work is herding us and playing with her frisbee, outside, and catching her handball indoors.   

Follow the Path

Sometimes we are following a path and really don't know why nor where it will lead us.  If we find we have misgivings about it, we stop.  Otherwise, we continue, and are often in awe at the good that occurred at the destination.  "The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."  Proverbs 16:9.  Such an event recently occurred in my art journey.

I decided I wanted to have some prints made of four of my paintings, but I also needed some good photos, and I didn't trust my photography skills nor my tweaking them on the computer.  Well, Bob Cook, from the New Braunfels Art League, was doing a presentation on "Digital Imagery for Artists".  Very informative and well done.  He also said he did a service of not only taking pictures of your paintings, but also printing.  He had my attention and my business.  He, also, helped me decide what size of prints to order.  One suggestion was a 12" x 24" of my butterfly painting, "Worn Traveler".  At first I didn't want that size because it was larger than the original (8" x 16").  Why I thought that, I have no idea.  On the day I gave him my order for prints, I went ahead and ordered one of that size--then wondered why I did--completely baffled with myself.  All of my prints were beautiful.  When I went to look for some frames, I found one for "Worn Traveler".  It was perfect.  I showed it to a lady that loved my original and she bought it (the print, framed) on the spot.  This gets even better--it is now hanging in the reception area at our beautiful Tye Preston Memorial Library!!  I would never have imagined.

My many THANKS to Bob for the service he provides, his suggestions, and his prompting to order the 12" x 24".  He does beautiful photography and has a websit you should definitely check out:  www.bobcookart.com  

"A Loving Worker"

I would like to introduce all of you to Bailey, an Australian Shepherd.  I met Bailey, and her owner, Bridget, at our local library, a year ago, and instantly fell in love with Bailey (please don't tell Fancy, my border collie!).  Bridget gave me permission to take some photos (glad I had my iPhone), and Bailey enjoyed every minute of it.  Every time I would see the photos on my computer, I always thought to myself--you've got to paint this dog!!  Finally, I did.  The whole time I was working on the painting, I remembered that day at the library--there was a smile on my face every minute.  Knowing your subject first hand does make a difference when you go to paint it.

Bridget and Bailey are members and workers of Pet Partners, a service program of the Delta Society.  Registered Pet Partners bring the physical and emotional benefits of human-animal interaction to people in a variety of settings.  Delta Society's mission is to improve human health through service and therapy animals.  You can find out more information and view a wonderful video of their work at:  www.petpartners.org.  Bailey's resume is quite impressive (wish mine looked that good).  She has completed several obedience programs and has completed her AKC Canine Good Citizen program.  Besides being involved in various special school classrooms, such as Life Skills, Alternative Behaviour, Autistic and Severely Emotionally Disturbed students, she has worked with brain injured adults at the Texas Learning Center in Galveston, TX..  She has also assisted in several suicide interventions with great success.  Bailey currently volunteers as a Reading Dog at our local Tye Preston Memorial Library.  TALK ABOUT A V.I.P. (Very Important Partner)!!

As you can probably conclude--all of this was made possible by the love and training of owner, Bridget.  She is a retired Special Education Teacher and Counselor, of 34 years.  She now volunteers in the schools, etc., with Bailey, to enhance positive awareness of the human animal involvement.

After I finished "A Loving Worker", I sent Bridget a preview of it.  Bridget replied with "Wow, your painting of Bailey brought tears to my eyes.  You captured that look that she gives me when we are working, that says, "I'm ready to work, where are my kiddos!".
P.S.  Bridget bought the painting!!  I was going to enter it in a show, but am much more happy it is hanging in the home of Bailey's loving owner.

  "A Loving Worker", Pastel, 10" x 8"

A New Award

The show "For the Love of Animals" that I mentioned in my previous blog, had their reception this past Fri., Sept. 6th..  There are some beautiful paintings at the show and I am elated to let you know I received a 3rd. Place ribbon in the Water media, Pastel, Drawing category.  It is for "Waiting".  I posted a blog on it on Jan. 24th., 2012.  But, of course, I have to include the pic here, with ribbon attached!!  It is one of my favorite paintings.  Enjoy!

An Invitation

You are all invited!!  The following invitation is for the upcoming New Braunfels Art League Show, Sept. 4th. thru Sept. 29th., 2013.  The title of the show is "For the Love of Animals".  The address and date/time of reception, awards, is on the card.

I am both excited and honored that one of the paintings I am entering, was selected to be on the invitation!!  I did two blogs on "Think Big", April 13th. and Jan. 8th..  Another painting I am entering is "Waiting", blog on Jan. 24th., 2012.  The third one is a new painting, "A Loving Worker", and I will post a blog on her soon.

Hope you can make it to the reception on Sept. 6th., and/or show while it is there.!!